LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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©for ©qr^fij 

I . stat^ o7america. 



J 

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A. 



Manual for Com 




icanfs 



BY 



Rev. d. k. smith, 



of Concord, Tenn. 



Pro Deo et Ecclesia.^ 



MAY I 



KNOXVILLE, TENN. : 
Ogden Bros. & Co., Manufacturing Stationers, Printers. 
1886. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1 886, by 
D. F. SMITH, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031779 



DEDICATION. 



to all the true followers of the lord 
Jesus Christ who sincerely desire a 
continual increase of knowledge, 
faith and spiritual power, 
this little manual is 
respectfully 
inscribed. 



INDEX. 



v • . PAGE. 

Introduction < 5 

Nature and Design of the Lord's Supper 7 

Self-examination . . . . 13 

What we are to search out. . . 14. 

Scriptural marks of Grace 15 

Signs of particular graces 18 

A Prayer 26 

Exercises after Communion. 29 

Formula of Reception 3T 

Order of Exercises 35 

Reasons for full Consecration 36 



INTRODUCTION. 



Convinced, by years of observation in pastoral 
work, of the fact that many christians lose greatly 
in inward comfort and spiritual power, through 
neglect of special preparation for approaching the 
Lord's table, the author of this Manual kindly 
offers it to them, hoping that they may find it to 
be a safe and valuable guide in the solemn and 
important work of self-examination. From the 
publication of this little volume, which is alto- 
gether spiritual in its design, no literary reputa- 
tion is sought for or expected. 

Thoughts and suggestions have been gathered 
from actual experience in ministerial labor and 
similar works on the Lord's Supper. An honest 
effort has been made to compress everything 
essentially connected with the subject into a very 
small compass, so that this Manual may be readily 
placed in the hands of all young believers. 

It is the fervent prayer of the author that God 
may make this Work an unspeakable blessing to 
a multitude of His dear children. 

D. F. S. 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



ITS NATURE AND DESIGN. 



We have in the New Testament three detailed 
accounts of the first institution of the Lord's Sup- 
per. (See Matt. xxvi. 17-29; Mark xiv. 12-25, 
.and Luke xxii. 7-20.) 

The Apostle, Paul, gives a brief statement of 
the instruction he received directly from the Lord 
concerning this sacrament and its celebration. 
I. Cor. xi. 23-34. 

From these Scripture passages we gather the 
following facts: 

1. The evening before His crucifixion Christ 
celebrated the passover with His disciples. 

He did this to meet in full the requirements of 
the Jewish law. 

The passover was kept under the old Dispensa- 
tion to commemorate the deliverance of the Israel- 
ites from Egyptian bondage. Exod. xii. 5-20; xiii. 
3-10; Deut. xvi. 1. 

It was also intended to prefigure the sufferings 
of Christ. I. Cor. v. 7. 

. The blood of the paschal lamb, placed upon the 



8 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



lintel and door-posts of the Israelitish houses in 
Egypt, — the sign that the angel would pass ovei 
them when on his way to slay the first born in 
every Egyptian house, — pointed to the blood to 
be shed on calvary for the redemption of lost 
sinners. 

2. Immediately after the celebration of the 
passover, the same night in which Christ was be- 
trayed into the hands of His enemies, and the last 
before His crucifixion, He instituted the Lord's 
Supper. 

3. It was appointed to be a public and stand- 
ing memorial of Christ's death. 

Jesus said: "Do this in remembrance of Me.' 7 

The design of the Lord's Supper is to call to 
mind the whole work of Christ for man's redemp- 
tion, especially His sufferings on the cross. 

The same night in which He was betrayed our 
Blessed Lord " Took bread, and blessed and brake 
it, and gave it to His disciples and said: fc Take, 
eat; this is my body.'" 

The bread, broken, represented Christ's body, 
nailed to the cross — pierced by a sword — broken 
— slain for the sins of His people. 

After giving thanks He took the cup and gave 
it to His disciples, saying: "This cup is the New 
Testament in my blood, which is shed for many 
for the remission of sins; drink ye, all, of it." 

The w r ine, " the fruit of the vine," represents 
His precious blood shed for the salvation of His 
people. 

The brea'd — the most nourishing food — and the 
wine — the most invigorating cordial — remind us 



ITS NATURE AND DESIGN. 



9 



of the fact that Christ's sufferings and death are 
necessary to the spiritual life of believers. 

By Christ's death the gracious influences of the 
Holy Spirit are purchased to give spiritual life and 
strength to all His followers. 

The Holy Spirit comes, as a refreshing cordial, 
to give comfort and unspeakable consolation to 
the souls of believers. 

4. The command of Jesus in regard to the ob- 
servance of the Supper is binding on all His dis- 
ciples in every age. It is to be observed till His 
second coming. "For as often as ye eat this 
bread and drink this cup ye do show the Lord's 
death till He come." I. Cor. xi. 26. 

Christ's followers are required to meet together 
often, that they may eat bread and drink wine, as 
a perpetual memorial of His body, broken, and 
His blood shed for their sins. 

. The body of Jesus was, doubtless" put for His 
perfect and entire human nature, as personally 
united to the eternal Word — the Son of God; 
and His blood (the shedding of which was, per- 
haps, the immediate cause of His death) for the 
whole of His expiatory sufferings which termi- 
nated when He expired on the cross. 

The command of Christ — "Do this in remem- 
brance of me" — comes to all who love Him. No 
Christian can refuse or neglect to obey this com- 
mand without incurring guilt and inflicting an in- 
jury upon his own soul. Gratitude to Christ 
prompts the believer to this solemn duty. If a 
person should hazard his own life to save yours, 
you would gladly expend all your energies in 
serving him. What has Christ done for us? 



10 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



" He gave Himself for our sins." Gal. i 4. " He 
bore our sins in His own body on the tree/' I. 
Pet. ii. 24. "He laid down His life for us." I„ 
John iii. 16. "Though He was rich, yet for your 
sakes He became poor, that ye through His pov- 
erty might be rich." II. Cor. viii. 9. 

Love to Christ leads to obedience. John xiv. 23. 

The honor of our Blessed Redeemer certainly 
requires us to comply with His command, " Da 
this in remembrance of me" 

Our Lord demands of His people that they come 
out from the world and openly confess Him be- 
fore men. This confession is made when we first 
take our place among God's children, and renewed 
every time we go to the Lord's table. 

5. Believers are greatly benefited by a proper 
observance of the Lord's Supper. 

This ordinance is especially suited to awaken 
within us a sense of our unworthiness — to make 
us feel our obligations to Christ and to bring us 
near to God. 

Christ crucified is set before us. Our bodily 
senses are used to stir gracious affections within 
us. 

As we see and handle and taste the bread and 
wine we see and handle and taste in a spiritual 
sense " the Word of life." 

While, through the medium of bread and wine,, 
we contemplate our crucified Lord, and reflect on 
the love of the Father, in sending His own Son 
to be our Ransom, and on the matchless love and 
condescension of Christ in submitting to igno- 
minious suffering and death for our salvation, we 



ITS NATURE AND DESIGN. 



11 



feel our love to God and Christ quickened and in- 
vigorated. 

Here, as we behold the costly sacrifice for sin — 
the Lamb of God slain — and consider that noth- 
ing else could have atoned for our guilt, our godly 
sorrow for sin and hatred thereto are increased. 
As we sit at the Lord's table and meditate upon 
the blessings of the New Covenant — pardon, jus- 
tification, sanctification, adoption into the family 
of God's children, a full share in all their gracious 
privileges here and the enjoyment of eternal life 
hereafter, flowing to guilty men through the death 
of Christ, sealed and secured by His bood to all 
those who believe in His name, our souls are 
greatly comforted and refreshed, and we are fed 
with marrow and fatness." "They that wait upon 
the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall 
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run 
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not 
faint." Isaiah xl. 31. 

No disciple of Jesus can willfully absent him- 
self from the Lord's table without incurring the 
sin of ingratitude and losing precious opportuni- 
ties of spiritual improvement. 

6. What does the believer do in the act of re- 
ceiving the Lord's Supper? 

(a) He makes an humble confession of his 
guilt before God. A deep sense of guilt and un- 
worthiness is one qualification for approaching 
the Lord's table*. Jesus said: "lam not come 



*Many Christians are troubled about the word "damnation" 
found in I. Cor. xi. 29. The correct translation of the word 
Kritna, is judgment or condemnation. It evidently signifies 
punishment by the infliction of some bodily infirmity, sick- 



12 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." 
Matt. ix. 13. 

(b) He declares that he believs the testimony 
of God concerning His Son, and trusts implicitly 
in the merits of Christ for pardon and eternal life. 

(c) He yields himself with all his powers 
anew to God and His service. 

He takes the oath (sacramentum) of allegiance 
to the King of kings. He recognizes his obliga- 
tion to obey Christ as his Lord and Savior. He 
accepts Christ as his Prophet, Priest and King, 
and renews his baptismal engagements. 



ness or death. It certainly does not refer to the unpardonable 
sin. 

The term "unworthily" (Anaxios), in the 27th verse, may be 
taken as meaning ' in a manner unworthy of and unsuitable 
to the purposes for which the ordinance was instituted." 

"Guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" means guilty 
with respect to the body and blood of the Lord. 

The one who approaches the Lord's table without due prep- 
aration—without distinguishing between the bread and wine, 
used as symbols of the body and blood of Christ and a common 
meal— failing to set a proper estimate upon the sacrifice of the 
Lord— is guilty of irreverence and profanity, and he may ex- 
pect to be chastised for his sins. (See v. 30.) 

The language of the inspired Apostle should not keep the 
believer away from the Lord's table, but on the contrary, 
should lead him to "examine himself,"— to "judge himself" — 
so that he may receive a rich spiritual blessing in waiting 
upon the Lord. 



• PREPARATION 

FOR 

OBSERVING THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



SELF-EXAMINATION, I COR. XI. 28. 

1. Directions. — Set apart time for this impor- 
tant work. Much is lost by haste. 

2. Endeavor to shut out from the mind all vain 
and worldly thoughts, and let the mind be fixed 
upon the solemn business of heart-searching. 

3. Pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to en- 
lighten the understanding, awaken the consience 
and purify the affections. Nothing can be accom- 
plished without God's help. 

4 Endeavor to reach some conclusion as to 
your spiritual state. Do not be satisfied with any- 
thing short of a tolerably clear evidence of faith. 

5. Whatever you may find yourself to be — a 
sinner lost or a sinner saved by grace, — remember 
this precious truth : "The blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanseth from all sin." I. John i, 7. 

6. Seach your heart deeply and thoroughly. 
Do not stop at the surface. There is danger of 



14 



PREPARATION FOR 



overlooking some deep-seated, hidden iniquity or 
some pressing want. 

Go over the work repeatedly. Bring your soul 
again and again to the gospel touch-stone. 

WHAT WE ARE TO SEARCH OUT. 

I. Our Purposes. — All our acts are prompted 
by some motive. 

The purpose or intention gives character to 
every act. God looks at the secret purpose of 
the soul. He cannot be mocked or deceived. Our 
designs should be thoroughly sifted. 

See that you do not actempt to quiet the accu- 
sations of conscience by the outward performance 
of duty— that you do not g*o forward prompted 
by sinful curiosity, nor to be like others, nor to 
establish a reputation for piety amongst men. 

In deep solemnity ask yourself the following 
questions : What ends have I in view in going to 
the Lord's table ? Is it to remember Christ's death ? 
I. Cor. xi. 24-26. Is it to be made a partaker of all 
the blessings purchased by Christ ? Is it that I 
may become purer and holier ? That I may re- 
ceive an increase of spiritual strength ? That I 
may be brought into closer fellowship with God ? 
That I may receive more fully the witness of the 
Holy Spirit. 

II. Our Wants. —What particular sin of ours 
needs most to be repented of and subdued ? 

What grace needs to be strengthened ? 

Do we need an increase of love, knowledge^ 
zeal, faith, humility, self-denial or gratitude ? Do 
we need more courage for the conflicts of life ? 



OBSERVING THE LORD'S SUPPER. 15 



More strength for its burdens and duties ? More 
fortitude ? More spiritual power ? A clearer 
evidence of God's favor ? 

In what offices do we need Christ revealed to 
us ? As a Prophet to teach us ? As a Priest to 
intercede for us ? Or as a King to conquer our 
spiritual enemies, and subdue our hearts to himself? 

A clear view of all these wants will prepare us 
for a higher appreciation of Christ and a full re- 
ception of His grace. 

III. Principal Scriptural Marks of 
Grace 

i. Supreme love to God. I.John iv. 19: v. 2. 

This may be called the essence of true piety. 
It inclucfes love to the brethern and to the souls of 
men. 

Love to God manifests itself in various ways. 

(a) In an earnest longing after God and Christ. 
Psalms lxiii 1 3; xlii. 1-2; lxxiii. 2=5; Cant v. 10. 

(b) In frequet meditations upon God and 
heavenly things. Psalms i. 2; civ. 34; cxix. 97. 
Phil. iii. 20. 

(c) In a spirit of unreserved obedience to God's 
commands. John xiv. 15. I. John ii. 3 and 5; iii. 
24; v. 2-3. 

(d) In a peculiar delight in God's word. Psalms 
i. 2; cxix. 1^, 16, 24, 92, 103, 113, 127, 162, 163. 

(e) Delight in the worship and ordinances of 
God. Psalms lxxxiv; 1, 2, 10; xxvi. 8: cxxii. 1. 

(f) Love to God's Children. I. John iii. 14. 
Psalm cxix. 68, Heb. xi. 25. I. John iv. 11-20; 
v. 1. Eph. i. 15. I. Thess. iv. 19. 

(g) Hatred to sin. Psalm cxix. 113. Job xlii. 
5, 6. Rom. vii. 24. 



16 



PREPARATION FOR 



(k) Submission to God's will. II. Cor. x. 5. 
James iv. 7. Lam. iii. 20. 

(/) Love to the souls of men. II. Cor. v. 14; 
xii. 15. I. Thess. ii. S. Heb. xiii. 17. 

Let each believer ask himself the following or 
similar questions : 

Do I love God ? Does my soul long after him ? 
Do I delight in thinking of God and heavenly 
things ? Do I from the heart strive to obey His 
commands ? Do I delight in His word and ordi- 
nances ? Do I love the brethern ? Do I love the 
souls of men ? Do I desire to have my will 
brought into complete submission to the divine 
will ? 

If }^ou can answer these questions affirmatively 
you may conclude that you have a living faith in 
Christ. 

To the true believer the character of God, 
His law, His government, all things connected 
with Him appear beautiful and glorious. You 
certainly love God if your affections run out to- 
ward His children. 

1 here is a community of interest between the 
children of God — a mutual cord of sympthy ex- 
tending from heart to heart, so that they esteem 
and love each other, because they belong to the 
same family — the household of faith — and to the 
same Blessed Saviour, who is to them " The chief 
among ten thousand and the One altogether lovely T 

You love God if you have a constant and sin- 
cere desire to escape from all sin ; not only the 
consequences, but the pollution of sin. 



OBSERVING THE LORD'S SUPPER. 17 



A perpetual warfare against sin, especially 
against the evil of your own hearts, must be the 
work of the Holy Spirit. 

Would satan inspire hatred to his own king- 
dom ? Would the powers of darkness turn and 
fight against themselves ? No; verily. Enmity 
to the world, to all sinful purposes and pursuits — 
to every unhallowed desire and action, must arise 
from the movings of a spiritual life — from love to 
God wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit. 
Psalms xcvii. 10 : cxix 104. 



PARTICULAR GRACES. 



SIGNS OF. 



We should be well acquainted not only with 
the signs of a gracious state, but also with the 
marks of particular graces. 

The graces that demand a close examination 
are : Our spiritual appetite, knowledge, faith, re- 
pentance, humility, self-denial, gratitude and new 
obedience. 

I. Our Spiritual Appetite. — The soul, spir- 
itually alive, desires to draw near to God — to hold 
communion with Christ — to obtain spiritual nour- 
ishment. Psalms xxvii. 4; xlii. T-4. John iv. 10. 

The true believer rejoices when he is called to a 
spiritual feast. Psalm cxxii. 1. 

He will be satisfied with nothing less than spir- 
itual communion with God. Psalm lxxiii. 25. 

II. Knowledge. — The child of God has a true 
spiritual knowledge of Him. John xvii. 3, 



PARTICULAR GRACES. 



19 



Eliphaz had this in view when he said to Job. 
"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at 
peace ; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 
xxii. 21. 

The saving knowledge of God shows itself by 
its effects. 

1. It humbles the soul. Job xi 4, 5 ; xlii. 5, 6. 

2. It leads the soul to Christ. John vi. 45. 

3. It leads the believer to seek to be conformed 
to Christ. II. Cor. iii. iS. 

4. It strengthens faith. Psalm ix. 10. 

5. It creates within us a desire to know more 
of God, of Christ and salvation through Him. 
Prov. iv. 18. Phil iii. 8-10. John iv. 10. 

6. It causes us to set a high value upon spirit- 
ual things. Phil. i. 9, 10. 

7. It brings with it a peculiar and delightful 
savor. II. Cor. ii. 14. 

If you find these marks of saving knowledge 
in your spiritual exercises, you may take to your- 
self comfort and encouragement. 

Have you this knowledge. 

III. Faith. — True saving faith manifests itself 
in various ways. 

1. In a hearty approval of God's way of sav- 
ing sinners. Prov. viii. 9. I.John iv 2; v. 1. 

2. In purifying the heart. Acts xv. 9. I.John 

iiL 3- 

3. In stirring up within us hatred to sin and 
self-loathing Rom. vii. 24. Job. xl. 4, 5. 

4. In leading the soul to a very high esteem of 
Jesus Christ. I. Peter ii. 7. Eph. iii. 17-19. 

5. In true repentance. Zech. xii. 10. Job 
xlii. 5, 6. 



20 



SIGNS OF. 



6. In peace, joy and strong consolation. Rom. 
v. 1-3. Heb. vi. 18. 

7. In a constant warfare against satan and all 
evil. James iv. 7. I. Peter v. 9. I. John v. 4-5. 

8. In good works. Tames ii. 18-20-26. Titus 
iii. 8. 

9. In a continuous looking to Jesus Christ for 
pardon, life, liberty and spiritual power. Heb. 
xii. 2. Isaiah xlv. 22. Matt. xi. 28-30. 

10. In a strong desire to be delivered from un- 
belief. Mark ix. 24. John xvi. 8-9. 

11. In a high appreciation of God's promises. 
II. Peter i. 4. Heb. xi. 13. 

12. In earnest, persevering, importunate prayer. 
Psalm xl. 1. Col. iv. 2. I. Thess. v. 17. 

13. In committing the soul to God. Psalms 
xxxvii. 5; lv. 22. I. Peter v. 7. 

Questions. — Have I seen myself utterly lost — 
undone — exposed to God's holy wrath and help- 
less? 

Have I joyfully accepted Jesus Christ as my 
Savior? 

Do I rest fully upon the merits of Christ for the 
forgiveness of sin and every spiritual blessing? 

Do I, at times, realize an inward peace and con- 
solation which can arise only from the gracious 
influences of the Holy Spirit? Isaiah xii. 3. 
John iv; 14; vii. 38-39 

Do I take comfort and encouragement from the 
precious promises? 

Do I long and pray for an increase of faith? 



PRTICULAR GRACES. 



21 



IV. Repentance. — Repentance unto life is a 
grace of God's Spirit and at the same time an act 
of the renewed soul. 

It is accompanied by several exercises of the 
mind. 

1. By deep, genuine conviction of sin. Rom. 
vii. 13. John xvi. 9. 

2. By godly sorrow for sin. Psalms li. 1-14. 
2 Cor. vii. 10. Matt. xxvi. 75. 

3. By a turning from sin unto God. Joel ii. 
12. Psalms ex. 3; cxix. 128. Lam, iii. 40. 

4. By hatred to sin and self-loathing. Psalms 
cxix. 113, 128. Job xl. 4; xlii. 6. 

5. By an earnest longing to be delivered from 
the guilt and pollution of sin. Psalm li. 2, 7, 10. 
Rom. vii. 24. 

6. By a willingness to know our sins, and 
make full confession of them. Psalms li. 1-14; 
exxxix. 23, 24. Job xiii. 23. 

7. By a consciousness of the need of Christ — 
His cleansing blood and perfect righteousness. 
Isaiah lxiv. 6. Phil. iii. 8, 9. 

V. Humility. — Genuine humility leads a per- 
son — 

1. To place a low estimate upon his own spir- 
itual attainments. Eph. iii. 8. 1 Tim. i. 15. 

2. To regard God as just in all His dealings. 
Psalms xxxix. 9; li. 4. Isaiah xxxix. 8. 1 Sam. 
iii. 18. Job i. 21. 

3. To submit to the divine will. 2 Sam. xv. 
26. Acts xxi. 14. 

4. To renounce his own righteousness, and de- 
pend solely upon the righteousness of Jesus 
Christ. Isaiah lxiv. 6; xlv. 24. Phil. iii. 9. 1 Cor. 
i. 30. 



22 



SIGNS OF 



5. To ascribe all the good that may be in him 
to the free undeserved grace and mercy of God. 
Psalms xxx. 1-4. 1 Chron. xxix. 12-14. 

6. To esteem others better than himself. Phil. 
»• 3. 4- 

VI. Self-Denial. — Self-denial is demanded of 
every believer. Matt. v. 29, 30; xviii. 8. 9; x. 38, 
39; xvi. 24, 25. Luke ix. 23; xiv. 27; xvii. 33. 
John xii. 25. 

The marks of humility are also marks of self- 
denial. 

The truly humble believer denies himself many 
things. 

Self-denial causes the believer — 

1. To aim to glorify God in all things. 1 Cor. 
x. 31. 

2. To mourn deeply over his own pride and 
selfishness. 2 Chron. xxxii. 26. 

3. To obey God's commands readily and cheer- 
fully. 1 John v. 3. 

4. To seek after purity of heart. 1 John hi. 3. 
Col. iii. 5-7. Titus ii. 12. 

5. To crucify the flesh with its lusts. Gal. v. 
24. Col. iii. 5. 1 Peter iv. 2; ii. 11. 

6. To prefer the profit of others. Rom. xii. 
10; xiv. 20, 21. I. Cor. x. 24-33. 

7. To forsake all for Christ. Luke xiv. 26-27. 

VII. Gratitude. — Gratitude to God for all 
His mercies is a scriptural evidence of spiritual 
life. Psalms xxviii. 6; lxvi. 20; xcii. 1; cv. 1. 
cxvi. 12, 13; cxix. 62. Dan. ii 23. Luke i. 68; 
I Cor. xv. 57. II Cor. ii. 14. Col. i. 12. I Thes. 
v. 18. I Peter i. 3. 



PARTICULAR GRACES 



23 



The truly grateful person feels — 

1. That he loves the Lord supremely. Psalms 
xvii. i ; cxvii. i. 

2. That he ought to study and strive to please 
God in his walk and conversation. Psalm cxvi. 

7-9- 

3. That he is unworthy ot the manifold bless- 
ings he receives. Gen. xxxii. 13. 

4 That he cannot of himself render suitable 
praise to God. Psalm cxlviii. 2, 2. 

5. Present afflictions do not cause the grateful 
soul to forget former mercies. Psalms xxii. 6-10; 
vi. 10; lxxvii. 10, 11; ciii. 2. 

6. The mind of the grateful man dwells espe- 
cially upon the unspeakable blessings received 
through Jesus Chsist. II. Cor. ix. 15. Eph. i. 3. 
I. Peter i. 3-5. 

VIII. New Obedience. — 

1. New obedience comes from a renewed 
heart. It is cordial. Rom. vi. 17. 

2. It is determined. Josh. xxiv. 1 v 

3. It is prompted by an enlightened con- 
science. I. Tim. i. 5. 

4. It will cause us to go forward against : 

(a) Carnal reasoning. Gal. i. 15, 16. 

(b) The profits of the world. Heb xi. 24, 25. 

(c) Bad example. Gen. vii. 1. 

(d) The commands of men. Acts iv. 18, 19. 

(e) Natural affection. Gen. xxii. 1, 2, 10. 

5. New obedience takes in all God's command- 
ments. Psalm cxix. 6 ; 

6. It is constant. Psalm cxix. 44. 

7. It arises from faith. Rom. xvi. 26. I. 
Tim. i. 5. 



24 



SIGNS OF 



S. It leads us to seek to know God's will and 
to do it Psalm cxliii 10. 

9. It brings forth fruit in season. Psalm i. 3. 

QUESTIONS. 

Do I see myself as a great sinner ? Am I ready 
to lie in the very dust and make a full confession 
of sin ? Am I grieved at the pride of my own 
heart, and do I long to have it removed ? 
Do I realize that I am utterly weak and helpless, 
and do I look continually to Christ for pardon and 
salification ? Do I aim to glorify God in all 
things? 

Do I strive to yield a chreerful submission to the 
will of God ? 

Do I strive from the heart to obey God's pre- 
cepts ? 

Do I strive to crucify the flesh with the lusts 
thereof? 

Do I earnestly seek the profit and welfare of 
others ? 

Do I long after purity of heart ? 
Am I willing to forsake all for Christ ? 
Do I feel that I ought to strive to please God in 
all things? 

Does my heart flow out towards God in ex- 
pressions of gratitude ? Do I remember God's 
mercies to me — even in times of trouble ? 

Do I delight to think of God's infinite love 
manifested through Christ ? 

Do the fruits of the Spirit appear in my new 
obedience ? 

Am I ready to go forward in the performance 
of duty in the face of all opposition ? 

Do I earnestly desire to know God's will and 
to do it? 



PARTICULAR GRACES 



25 



ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS. 

1. Go over the work of heart-searching a 
number of times to make it thorough. 

2. Go down into the depths of the soul. Don't 
stop at the surface. 

3. Fix the mind upon some suitable topic, to 
occupy the thoughts at the Lord's table, such as 
the love of God, His willingness to forgive sin, 
the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, the 
precious promises of God or the gracious work 
of the Holy Spirit. 

4. Be faithful in attending to all duties, espe- 
cially the study of God's word, meditation, prayer 
and praise. 

The conscientious discharge of duty helps to 
put the soul in a proper frame for communion 
with God. 

5. Endeavor to enter anew into covenant with 
God, giving yourself up unreservedly to Him, to 
be used by Him in time and eternity, accepting 
Him fully as your God, your everlasting portion 
in Christ Jesus. 

6. Put the following or similar questions to 
yourself: Have I the witness of the Holy Spirit? 
Have I received new light in the work of self- 
examination? Have I made new discoveries of 
my wants and soul disorders? Do I from the 
heart forgive those who offend or injure me? Do 
I pray for their salvation? Is Christ, inceed, pre- 
cious to my soul? Is He precious to me in all 
His offices and relations? Do I love to think of 
Him? Am I troubled because I cannot love 
Him more? Have I experienced an inward hun- 
gering and thirsting after the light, grace and 



26 



SIGNS OF 



comfort which are found only in Jesus Christ? 
Have I been able to see some scriptural marks or. 
particular graces of the Spirit, such as knowledge? 
faith, love, repentance humility , self -denial, grati- 
tude or spiritual appetite? 

A PRAYER THAT M AY BE USED BEFORE 
APPROACHING THE LORD'S TABLE. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, look down 
in tender compassion, I beseech Thee, upon me r 
thy unworthy servant. Teach me how to pray. 
Grant unto me the spirit of prayer. May I be 
led to see the sinfulness of my own heart. Show 
me myself. Pour into my soul the light of thy 
Holy Spirit. Convince me of my sin and lead 
me continually to the exercise of godly sorrow 
and a living faith. Help me to confess and for- 
sake all sin. Applv to my sinful heart the pre- 
cious, cleansing blood of Jesus. Enable me ta 
realize that I am accepted in the Beloved, and 
that Thou art mv covenant God in Christ. May 
I see in my feelings, principles, motives and 
actions, the marks of a gracious, state. Grant 
unto me, O Lord, the evidences of the work of 
the Holy Spirit within me. May I realize that 
the Spirit has made me alive unto God through 
Jesus Christ. Draw out my soul unto Thee, so 
that I may exclaim, in truth, "Whom have I in 
heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth 
that I desire besides Thee.*' 

May my spiritual life be manifest in supreme 
love to Thee: love to Thy believing children, love 
to the souls of men, delight in thy word, in Thine 
ordinances and everything connected with Thee, 



PARTICULAR GRACES. 



27 



May my will be brought into entire and sweet 
submission to Thy will. Enable me to forgive 
my fellow men when they trespass against me. 
Remove from my heart all unholy pride, ambi- 
tion and unbelief, and fill it with sincere gratitude 
to Thee. 

I praise Thee, O Father, for the gift of Thy 
Son to die for sinners, and for the gracious work 
of the Holy Spirit. 

In view of what Thou hast done and suffered 
for my salvation, O blessed Redeemer,I would now 
give myself wholly and unreservedly to Thee. I 
would present to Thee my body, myself, a living 
sacrifice holy and acceptable in Thy sight, realiz- 
ing that I am called to glorify Thee with all my 
powers. Bought by Thine own precious blood, 
I own Thy right in me and all that I seem to 
possess. 

Receive me as one of Thine adopted children. 
I would be Thine, in time and eternity. 

Now, as I am about to approach the Lord's 
table in obedience to Thy command, prepare me 
for this solemn service. May I wait upon Thee 
with great profit and due solemnity. Let all 
worldly thoughts be banished. Draw forth my 
desires unto Thee. In the memorials of Thy 
death — in the bread broken and the wine poured 
out — may I, by faith, behold Thy sufferings of 
body and intense anguish of spirit when Thou 
didst freely offer Thyself a sacrifice for the 
redemption of the lost. 

O, help me to meditate upon what Thou hast 
done and suffered in the exercise of faith and 
love. Enable me to embrace Thee anew, as my 
Savior, my Portion, my All. 



28 PARTICULAR GRACES. SIGNS OF. 



As I think of Thee, wounded for my trans- 
gressions, and bruised for my iniquities, may 
every doubt be driven away, and may I be able 
to say from the hearc, "My Lord and my God." 
O, may my soul be nourished by the rich pro- 
visions of Thy love and grace, and may I receive 
strength for all the duties, sorrows and conflicts 
of life. As I sit with Thy people in heavenly 
places, may I experience the fruits of Thy 
redeeming love.. Manifest Thyself graciously 
unto Thy servant and fill my heart with the ani- 
mating hope of beholding Thee forever in glory, 
and joining in the celestial hymn, "Worthy is the 
Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, 
and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, 
and blessing." Amen. 



EXERCISES 

AFTER 

COMMUNION. 



1. As early as possible after communicating, set 
apart a time for self-examination, and enter into 
the work with all seriousness and earnest prayer 
for the aid of the Holy Spirit. 

2. Go over again your preparation exercises. 
Ask yourself the following or like questions : 
Did I strive to be thoroughly prepared for com- 
memorating the dying love of Christ ? 

Did I make any discoveries of my spiritual con- 
dition and necessities? 

What motives prompted me to go to the Lord's 
Table ? 

Did I feel it to be a great privilege to be there ? 
Did I honestly endeavor to enter into covenant 
with God — taking Him for my God — My Saviour 
my portion forever ? Did I truly hunger and 
thirst after light, grace and spiritual comfort in 
Christ ? Did I find in myself some evidence of 
the saving work of the Holy Spirit ? 

3. Review your conduct at the Lord's Table. 
What was the subject of your thoughts ? When 
you were handling and tasting the memorials of 
Christ's death, did you have any tender heart- 
melting" remembrance of His suffering:? 



30 EXERCISES AFTER COMMUNION. 



Did you have high and holv thoughts of Jesus? 
Did you have fellowship with the Father, and 
with His Son Jesus Christ? I.John i. 3. 

Did you solemnly resolve to be more faithful to 
the Blessed Master, and to maintain against sin an 
unending warfare ? 

In view of the fullness of the merit of Christ, 
did you venture yourself anew upon him ? 

4. Inquire into your attainments. 

Have you a deeper sense of sin and misery, a 
greater hatred to sin, and a higher esteem of Jesus 
Christ ? 

Do you now more fully prefer the interests of 
Christ and His spiritual kingdom to those of the 
flesh ? Phil. ii. 21. 

Do you now earnestly long and pray for the 
quickening and sanctifying power of the Holy 
Spirit? 

Have you a greater love to holiness, a greater 
longing to become like Christ ? Have you more 
calmness and peace of soul? Rom. v. 1. 

Have you some assurance of God's love? 
Have you clearer views of the joys and glories of 
the world of light? Are you more inclined to 
render praise and thanksgiving to God? Are 
you ready to say: "What shall I render to the 
Lord for all His benefits?" U I will take the cup of 
salvation and call upon the name of the Lord!" 
"I will pay ray vows unto the Lord now in the 
presence of all His people." 

5. Give God the glory for all spiritual bless- 
ings, and strive u io walk worthy of the Lord unto 
all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work 
and increasing in the knowledge of God." Col. 
i. 10; I. Thes. ii. 12. 



FORMULA 

FOR 

THE RECEPION OF MEMBERS. 



My Dear Brother: 

You stand here before God and His people 
to take upon you the solemn vows of a christian 
— to become before men a professed disciple of 
Jesus Christ. 

You will answer the following questions in the 
affirmative: 

1. Do you believe in the existence of one only 
living and true God, the Father, the Son and the 
Holy Ghost, the same in essence, equal in power 
and glory? 

2. Do you solemnly declare here before God 
and His Church, that you regard yourself as a 
sinner, corrupt by nature and justly condemned 
for all your sins? 

3. Do you renounce all dependence for par- 
don and eternal life upon your own merits; and 
do you rely solely upon the perfect righteousness, 
the complete atonement, and the continued inter- 
cession of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, as the 
foundation of all your hopes? 



32 



FORMULA FOR THE 



4. Is it your solemn purpose, by the grace of 
God, to lead a holy life, in obedience to His com- 
mands and submission to the rules of the Church? 

5. Do you come to the Lord's Table that you 
may show forth the death of Christ, from regard 
to His command: "Do this in remembrance of 
Me;" from love to Him and a sincere desire to 
glorify His name? 

6. Do you promise to cultivate a spirit of 
meekness and love; to strive earnestly to do good 
in the world and not evil; to promote true piety 
in your own heart, in your family, in the Church 
of Christ, and in the community where your lot 
may be cast? 

(The next question is designed for persons w 7 ho 
have been baptized in infancy.) 

7. Do you now vountarily take upon yourself 
all the obligations implied 01 imposed upon you 
when you were dedicated to God in baptism? 

(Here baptism may be administered.) 

ADDRESS. 

Hoping that you may have grace and strength 
to perform all the solemn vows that rest upon 
you, we affectionately receive you into the full 
communion of this church, and in the name of 
the Lord Jesus Christ declare you entitled to all 
its privileges. We cordially welcome you to fel- 
lowship with us in the blessings of the everlasting 
gospel. 



RECEPTION OF MEMBERS 



33 



(Here give the right hand of fellowship.) 

Now my dear brother in Christ, let it be deeply 
impressed upon your mind and heart, that you 
have entered into a solemn covenant w T ith God 
from which you can never be released. Wherever 
you may be, wherever you may go, however you 
may act, the vows of God will rest upon you. 
They will follow you through life, they will fol- 
low you to the bar of God and through eternity. 

Hereafter the eyes of men will be upon you. 

By your walk and conversation the religion of 
Jesus Christ will be honored or disgraced. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you! May 
He lift up the light of His countenance upon you 
and give you peace! May He bestow upon you 
all needed wisdom, grace and spiritual pow r er; 
and after our spiritual w r arfare is accomplished 
may we all be brought into the church triumph- 
ant, and crowned with everlasting glory. 



EXHORTATION 

TO 

MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 



Dear Brethren: You have witnessed here 
to-day the professions and promises which this 
brother has voluntarily made before God and 
His church. 

I Exhort you to look upon him henceforth as a 
partaker with you of the grace of God — as one 
having a strong claim upon your influence, your 
sympathy, your affection and your prayers. En- 
courage him by your example and counsel. Let 
him realize that he is, with you, an heir to an 
unfading inheritance at God's right hand. 



ORDER OF EXERCISES 

AT 

THE LORD'S TABLE. 



1. Read one of the following passages of 
Scripture: Matt. xxvi. 20-29. Mark xiv. 22-25. Luke 
xxii. 7-20. I. Cor. xi. 23-34. 

2. Short address to communicants. 

The substance of this can be gathered from 
remarks on the Nature and Design of the Lord's 
Supper, on pages 7 to 12 of this Manual. 

3. Extend a cordial invitation to all true be- 
lievers — members in good standing in all evangel- 
ical churches, and strangers within the gates who 
love the Savior, to come to the Lord's Table, and 
together commemorate His death. 

4. A song of praise suited to the solemn 
service. 

5. Prayer for God's presence and special 
blessing. 

6. Distribute the bread, using the language of 
Luke xxii. 19 or I. Cor. xi. 24. 

*And then the wine, using the language of 
Luke xxii. 20 or I. Cor. xi. 25-26. 

(A few appropriate remarks may be made after 
the distribution of the elements.) 

7. A prayer of thanksgiving, followed by a 
hymn and apostolic benediction. 

*From the language of Matt. 26.27 and Mark 14.23 some 
offer thanks before distributing the wine. 



36 



ORDER OF EXERCISES. 



SOME REASONS FOR FULL CONSECRATION. 

i. My spiritual joy will be increased, Ps. 
li. 12; Rom. v. 1-5; Isaiah xii. 3; John xvi. 24. 

2 I should be growing in grace. I. Pet. ii. 2; 
II. Pet. i. 5-8; iii. iS; Eph. iv. 13-15. 

3. I will be better equipped for spiritual con- 
flicts. The gospel armor must be put on. Eph. 
vi. 10-18; II. Tim. ii. 1; Col. i. 1 1 : Xeh. viiL 10. 

4. My love to God and His people will be 
increased. Rom. v. 5; I.John ii. 5; 5.2. 

5. I will be constrained to labor more earn- 
estly for the salvation of perishing souls. II. 
Cor. v. 14; Rom. ix. 1-3. 

6. My influence for the good of men and the 
glory of God will be increased. Matt. v. 15-16; 
Phil. ii. 16. 

7. I will reap richer blessings in sanctified 
afflictions Rom. viii. 18; Heb. xii. 6-1 1; II. Cor. 
iv. 17. 

8. Delivered from the spirit of bondage, I 
will receive more fully the spirit of adoption. 
Eph. ii. 18; Gal. iv. 6: Rom. viii. 15. 

9. I will have a nearer access to God and 
more delightful communion with Him. I. John 

1 3- 

10. I will have more power in prayer. Pro v. 
xv. 29; James v. 16. 

11. I will be better prepared to meet death. 
Psalm xxiii. 4; I. Cor. xv. 55-57; II. Cor. v. S. 

12. I will be prepared to receive a greater re- 
ward in heaven. I. Cor. iii. 13-15; Dan. xii. 3. 



/ 



